Cushioning shield for retractable seats



. 25, 1931. R. K. MERRILL 5 CUSHIQNfNG SHIELD FOR RETRACTABLE SEATS Filed Aug. 20, 1950 c I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATitrrrl o F Fi ce I RALPH x. MERRILL, or GRAND nerrns, MICHIGAN CUSHIONING SHIELD FOR RETRACTABLE SEATS I Application filed August 20, 1930. Serial No. 476,514.

The present invention relates to shields for the seat and the lower part of the chair back,

retractible seats; and its object is to provide a simple, effective and cushioning means for preventing injury resulting from the retract ing movement of the seats and backs of theatre chairs and the like.

This object is attained by, and the invention finds preferable embodiments in, the chair structure particularly described in the body of this specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational'side View of a chair for theatres and the like; and

Figure 2 is an elevational rear View of portions thereof.

In these drawings is illustrated a chair (such as are installed in moving-picture theatres and the like) having. upright side frames 1 spaced apart, a seat 2 movable forwardly-rearwardly-on the frames (the seats track 3 travelling on rollers 4 on the frames) and a back 5 between the frames and mounted thereon at 6 swingably about a horizontal axis, said back being pivotally connected at 7 to the seat.

To prevent injury to persons passing between rows of such seats or seated in a row behind, resulting from the retractile or rearward movement of the seats and'lower part of the'backs, these chairs are'provided with a shield or guard designated generally 8 and comprising a sulficiently rigid plate 9 (of sheet metal or the like) chair.

This plate extends downwardly behind the lower part of the chair back 5 and the rear edge of the seat 2 and is connected, swingably about a horizontal axis, to the rear of the chair back 5, as by the flexible hinge member 10 having parallelflanges 11 se-' cured to the opposite sides of the plate ad- 7 jacent its, upper edge, and having also an upwardly extending flange 12 secured to the rear of the chair back. A spring urges the lower part of the plate 9 rearwardly from at the rear of the and is preferably formed of two spring leaves 13 connected at one end 14 and secured at their other ends 15 to the inner side of the plate and a part 16 carried by the chair back.

It will be seen that, if the seat and lower part of the back he moved rearwardly, carrying the shield plate 9 therewith, the impact of the plate on a person behind the chair will be cushioned .by the resulting compression of the spring 13 and thereby rendered harmless. A resilient strip 17 may be secured to the lower edge of the plate to further cushion such impact.

shield for the rearward movement of the seat comprising; a plate hingedly connected ad- "00' The invention belng intended to be pointed jacent its upper edge with the frames and extending behind the seat; and a spring mounted on one of the hingedly connected parts urging the plate rearwardly from the seat.

, 2. In combination with a chair having spaced side frames, a seat movable forwardly-rearwardly thereon and a back swingably mounted on the frames and pivotally connected to the seat, a cushioning shield for the rearward movement of the seat comprising: a plate hingedly connected adjacent its upper edge withthe back and extending behind the seat and back; and a spring mounted on one of the hingedly connected parts urging:

the plate rearwardly from. the seat and back.

3. In combination with a chair having spaced side frames, a seat movable forwardly-rearwardly thereon and a back swingably mounted on the frames and pivotally connected to the seat, a cushioning shield for the rearward movement of the seat comprising: a. plate hingedly connected adjacent its upper edge on the back and extending behind the seat and back; and a spring mounted on one of the hingedly connected parts urging the plate rearwardly from the seat and back and comprising a pair of spring leaves connected at one end.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Grand Rapids, this 14th day of August, 1930.

RALPH K, MERRILL. 

